Barnes 7-14 Dorking
A Comedy of Errors at Barn Elms
By Kevin Beal
As previously mentioned in dispatches, games between Dorking and Barnes have always been tight with the deciding scores coming in the dying seconds of the matches but they have never been overly controversial, until now. Ill-discipline in the tackle, so often the preserve of the Red & Whites this season amongst the Barnes players in this highly charged fixture led to the man with the whistle awarding eight cards to the home side effectively killing off any chance they had of taking the spoils.
The reduced Barnes artillery fought like the garrison at Rorke’s Drift in defence, and it was testament to their approach that they were able to keep the Dorking attack at bay for so long. Eventually, unlike at the aforementioned Rorke’s Drift, superior numbers told, and the Red & Whites ran out winners in this strange encounter.
Both sides set out their intentions in the opening exchanges as the ball was moved from side to side and up and down the pitch as scything attacks met strident defence. The deadlock was finally broken on the 15 minute mark as Barnes no 8 Ben Christie found himself in open space following a fluent exchange between forwards and backs, and with Hayden Elliott slotting the extras they were 7-0 up.
But that was where normality ended as Barnes began to fall foul of the referee for a succession of high tackles, and taking advantage of the extra men Dorking looked to apply pressure, only to be rebuffed at every turn. Eventually, following a succession of line outs and forward pressure, Will Scholes pounced on the ball to claim Dorking’s first score, only to be denied as the officials didn’t see the grounding. Oh for the instant replay provided by the Barnes’ official photographer showing that the score was indeed good…
Just time enough for another couple of cards before half time – 7-0 to the home side.
Barnes took the kick to start the second half and as Dorking looked to attack through the back line, they were called back for a forward pass. Scrum to Barnes, but overturned to a Dorking penalty as after some deliberation the officials spotted that Barnes had one too many players on the pitch. Dorking kicked to the corner deep in the Barnes 22 – and that’s where they stayed for the next 15 minutes as try as they might, they could not get past the Barnes defence, which it has to be said was magnificent. Eventually the pressure and the mismatch in player numbers told, and Daragh Chambers was shunted over the line after a patient build up and a succession of forward drives. With Tom Hardwick adding the conversion, it was 7 points apiece and 20 minutes or so left to play.
Dorking returned to the Barnes 22 at the kick off, looking to add to the score, but again were rebuffed. Time and time again. There was occasional parity in numbers, which saw Barnes able to play attacking rugby, but every time they looked like being back to full strength, a further transgression saw the numbers reduced again, permanently on two occasions as red cards were issued. It was therefore only a matter of time before the visitors took the lead, but it was not until well into ‘extra time’ that the winning score came, courtesy of a penalty try following a succession of collapsed attacking drives
As Dorking continued to camp in the Barnes 22, ‘last play’ was called and scrum half George Jackson was able to kick to touch to put the match out of its’ misery and secure the Dorking win.
DoR Armand Roux commented:
It was 2nd vs 3rd and no one ever expected a one sided affair. Barnes need to get credit for their continued pressure in defence as I can say I have not seen a 1 side make so many tackles in one game.
We had so much direct energy and loved the application from the Dorking boys. It was a war of attrition in testing conditions and the Dorking discipline was fantastic so massive credit to the Dorking Camp.
Our intensity was through the roof and simply continued to challenge the contact area.
Very good win on the road and doing a double over Barnes is definitely a good way to go into Christmas. The Dorking support away from home was great!
Teams
Barnes:
Hayden, Birch, O’dell, Henry, Walker, Nicholsen, Crabtree, Dean, Archer, Kane, Hill, Murphy, Spencer-Jones, Kassapian, Christie. Replacements – Humphreys, Nwaker-Nwanewebi, Hay, Farquar, Munro
Dorking:
Coyle, Simpson, Hotston, Howe, Rennles, Hardwick, Rawlinson, Ellis, Bristow, Chamners, King, Scholes, Bloomer, Osborne. Replacements – Stephenson, Golder, Watson, Musa, Jackson
Man of the Match – Tom Hardwick (Dorking)
